UK & World News
The latest UK & World news stories from the Press Association.
PM: We haven't broken 'contract'
13:05, Aug 8 2012
David Cameron said that he had a "fundamental disagreement" with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg over the Government's constitutional reforms, but insisted it would not stop them working together in coalition.
The Prime Minister rejected Mr Clegg's claim that the Conservatives had broken the coalition "contract" by failing to support House of Lords reform, forcing the Liberal Democrat leader to abandon his plans for a mainly-elected upper chamber.
Interviewed on LBC 97.3 radio, Mr Cameron insisted the only deal had been for the Tories to allow a referendum on AV voting for parliamentary elections in return for Lib Dem backing for a re-drawing of the parliamentary boundaries.
"There's a fundamental disagreement here in that I profoundly believe that the link was between the AV referendum that we promised to deliver and the boundary changes that I think are right because you should have equal-sized seats across the country," he said.
"Now Nick takes a different view, he's entitled to do that, but as I say, this disagreement is not going to get in the way of getting on with what really matters, which is getting people back to work, getting our economy moving, getting investment in Britain."
Despite Mr Clegg's warning that the Lib Dems would now line up with Labour to oppose the boundary changes - which experts believe could be worth an extra 20 seats to the Tories at the next general election - Mr Cameron made clear that he would fight to push them through when they come back to the Commons next year.
"We've got a lot of water to flow under the bridge between now and then," he said.
"Every MP is going to have to ask themselves 'Why am I voting against equal-sized constituencies and a smaller House of Commons?'.
"People listening to this programme would love us to cut the size of the House of Commons, stop spending so much money on politics and have a fair system where all the seats are the same size. That's what they can vote for when the boundary vote comes through."
Pair in court over officer's death 14:05, Feb 11 2013
Two homeless men have been charged with causing the death of a young police officer whose patrol car was hit by a stolen 4x4 in Londonderry. more
Pope hailed over decision to quit 14:05, Feb 11 2013
The three most senior figures in the Catholic Church in England and Wales have paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI after the Pontiff announced he was leaving office on grounds of age and infirmity. more
Cable urges open business policy 13:05, Feb 11 2013
Britain must make sure its borders are "as open as possible" to genuine foreign business visitors and investment, Business Secretary Vince Cable has said. more
Tributes for killed photojournalist 13:05, Feb 11 2013
The family of award-winning British photojournalist Tim Hetherington, who was killed covering the Libyan civil war, have described him as a "wonderful humanitarian". more
BBC staff threaten one-day strike 13:05, Feb 11 2013
BBC journalists are to stage a one-day strike unless the corporation agrees to end compulsory redundancies, it has been warned. more
Pope Benedict to resign his post 12:05, Feb 11 2013
The pope is to resign his office after declaring he was too old to carry on as head of the Catholic Church. more
Foreign rioters facing deportation 11:05, Feb 11 2013
Just one in 13 foreigners who took part in the riots of 2011 have been deported, it has emerged. more
Briton death sentence appeal filed 10:05, Feb 11 2013
An Indonesian lawyer representing a convicted British grandmother has formally appealed against the death sentence she received for smuggling cocaine worth 2.5 million US dollars (£1.58 million) into the resort island of Bali in a suitcase. more
Legal action plan in horse meat row 09:05, Feb 11 2013
Legal action over the horse meat scandal is to be mounted in Europe, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has said as he described the contamination of beef products as a case of fraud against the public. more
Snow triggers weather warnings 06:05, Feb 11 2013
Parts of the country are waking up to more than four inches of snow, prompting fears of ice and disruption during rush hour. more
The latest UK & World news stories from the Press Association.
